Evaluating the Industry 4.0 Readiness of Manufacturing Companies: A Case Study in Kuwait
Estabraq Mohammad, Loulwah AlBarakah, Sarah Kudair, Abdullah S. Karaman
College of Engineering and Technology
American University of Middle East, Kuwait
28351@aum.edu.kw, 23856@aum.edu.kw, 29936@aum.edu.kw, Abdullah.Karaman@aum.edu.kw
Abstract
The project discusses a case study on evaluating Industry 4.0 (I4.0) readiness in manufacturing companies in Kuwait. To assess the I4.0 readiness of the firms, the IMPULS I4.0 readiness survey was distributed to manufacturing companies. The purpose of the survey is to determine the readiness level and the progress of companies on their journey towards I4.0. Survey results were then analyzed and showed that the readiness in the Data-Driven Services dimension was around 60% and is considered the highest percentage in the analysis. On the other hand, the Employees dimension had the lowest readiness percentage of 23%. The results illustrated that Kuwaiti manufacturing companies need the most improvements in the Employees dimension. Based on the survey results, the ABC Company was selected as a case study for I4.0 digital twin implementation. Two simulation models were created for the production line of blue plastic drums in the company, one for the current line and another for after the implementation of I4.0. The results indicated that the throughput of the ABC Company will improve 228% with the I4.0 implementation and the investment will be recovered in 4 years.
Keywords
Industry 4.0, Readiness, IMPULS Survey, Manufacturing
Biographies
Estabraq Mohammad is an industrial engineering graduate. She received her B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering from the American University of the Middle East, Kuwait. She is fluent in both English and Arabic. She has great technical skills in several engineering software (Arena, Matlab, Minitab) as well as many soft skills including good communication, able to work under pressure, great team player, and is good with time management. Estabraq participated in two charitable volunteering programs; Ahli United Bank Kuwait’s fun run for a good cause, to support environmental, health, and charity efforts. As well as, Arm of Aid’s charitable art galleries where she showcased her art pieces where 50% of the profit went to charity.
Lulwah AlBarakah is a graduate with a B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering at the American University of the Middle East, Kuwait. During her study at the university, she gained technical skills, confidence to communicate effectively with audiences, time management, how to work smarter not harder by organizing and planning, etc. She continues gaining skills in Industrial Engineering to improve process and design, to optimize complex processes and systems, ergonomics and safety, manufacturing, and production via studying real-world problems.
Sarah Kudair Graduated with a bachelor of science degree in Industrial Engineering at the American University of the Middle East, Kuwait, during her study at university she gained skills, knowledge, confidence that she will implement her role successfully and gain valuable experience. She believes that the ways we make in life especially in difficult times shape the individual and therefore reflect on the communities. She challenged herself since last year “2020” of coronavirus pandemic by spending time while seeking employment; through securing membership of professional societies and joining courses such as Membership of Kuwait Society of Engineers, Membership of Institute of Society of Manufacturing Engineers “SME, Membership of Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers “IISE”, Project Management Professional Course, (PMP), Course on ICD Cyber Security Webinar, and Fundamental Advanced Course in Auto CAD.
Abdullah S. Karaman is an Associate Professor of Industrial Engineering at the American University of the Middle East, Kuwait. He received his B.S. degree in Mathematics from Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey; M.S. degree in Industrial Engineering from Bilkent University, Ankara, Turkey; and Ph.D. degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA. His research and teaching activities have been in the areas of business analytics, supply chain management, sustainability, multi-criteria decision-making, and simulation modeling. His research has been supported by the Department of Homeland Security, USA and Ankara Development Agency, Turkey. His works have been published in the European Journal of Operational Research, International Journal of Production Economics, Journal of Cleaner Production, Transport Policy, Sustainability Accounting, Management, and Policy Journal, and Journal of Air Transport Management, among others.